Tilt-operated hand held gas powered acoustic device

ABSTRACT

A hand-held gas powered horn is operated by manually tilting the horn body with respect to the can from which it is supported. The can contains a vaporizable liquid or compressed gas which is released through a valve mounted in the neck of the can and having a stem on which the horn is mounted by a screw-thread connection. The parts are made of momentarily deformable synthetic plastic material which enables the cover to be snapped in place on the back of the horn body and the horn to be forcelocked on and force-released from the valve stem.

United States Patent Pappas 5] June 20, 197 2 [541 TILT-OPERATED HAND HELD GAS 3,590,770 7/1971 Wagner ..116/106 POWERED ACOUSTIC DEVICE 2,750,230 6/1956 Sofi'er et al. .239/579 X 2,777,416 1/1957 Messick..... ....116 106 lnvemofl Mlchael lm lmngton, 2,840,032 6/1958 Reeves ..1 16 1 12 [73] Assignees Falcon Safety Products, Inc., Moun 2,993,466 7/ 1961 Sklaroff et a1. .,1 16/ 1 12 side Ni 3,244,137 4/1966 Garvey ..1 16/106 3,299,960 1/1967 Stern 1.1 16/106 UX [22] Filed: March 20, 1970 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [21] Appl. No.: 21,244

923,354 2/1955 Germany ..340/388 [52] US. Cl ..116/112, 1 16/142 FP, 239/579 primary c i [51] Int. Cl. ..G08b 21/00 Anamey Davisy Hoxie, F ithf l] & Hapgood [58] Field ofSeai-ch ..116/112, 117,65, 106, 142, 7

116/142 FP, 137; 29/523; 239/579; 222/402.24, 57 S C A hand-held gas powered horn 1s operated by manually t1lt1ng [56] References Cited the horn body with respect to the can from which it is supported. The can contams a vaponzable l1qu1d or compressed UNITED STATES PATENTS gas which is released through a valve mounted in the neck of the can and having a stem on which the horn is mounted by a 1,557,658 10/1925 Chollet ..1 16/ 142 screWthread connection The pans are made of momentarily 134L534 H1932 l 142 deformable synthetic plastic material which enables the cover 2l20028 6/ I938 Lewls 340/388 to be snapped in place on the back of the horn body and the 218841892 5/1959 Swanson- 1 horn to be force-locked on and force-released from the valve 2,918,895 12/1959 Buell .116/142 stem 2,920,798 1/1966 Samuel ...222/402.24 3,429,483 2/1969 Micallef ..222/ 153 8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures /1///I/////// In 2/ m A W I PATENTEnJuxzo m2 lnven/ar M/chae/ Pappas By Dav/s, Hoxie, Fai/hful/ 8 Hapgoaa' AI/omeys TILT-OPERATED HAND HELD GAS POWERED ACOUSTIC DEVICE This invention relates to power-operated acoustic devices and more particularly to hand held acoustic devices, such as horns mounted on a container containing compressed or liquefied gas.

Various forms of gas operated horns mounted on containers holding compressed or liquefied gas have been known and used heretofore, all of which have been equipped with some kind of button or lever-operated valve. In many cases the valves have been of metal and were relatively expensive to make and assemble. Efforts have been made to reduce the cost of these devices by simplifying the valves and horn bodies and using synthetic molded plastic materials. So far as is known, none of the prior products was manually operated by merely tilting the horn body relative to the container, and none was capable of using standard valve and container parts that were readily available on the market and used with other quite different products.

It is an object of this invention to provide a hand-held compressed-gas-operated horn mounted on a can containing compressed or liquefied gas, which can be operated by manual tilting of the horn relative to the can.

Another object is to provide a pressurized container utilizing a standard tiltable valve on which the horn body can be quickly and easily assembled with a screw connection. A related object is to provide means to maintain the connection of the horn body to the valve and prevent loosening and inadvertent disconnection of the valve body from the horn.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as it is described in'connection with the accompanying drawings.

in the drawings:

HQ. 1 is a side elevation view partly broken away of a horn mounted on a container with a tiltable valve, embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diametrical vertical section view through the structure shown in FIG. 1, on an enlarged scale.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the horn body with the cover removed.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the connection between the horn and the valve on a still larger scale than FIG.

Referring to the drawings, a cylindrical container or can of common form and construction contains compressed .or liquefied gas, such as Freon (TM) or other liquid which vaporizes at room temperature and pressure. Mounted in an opening in the top of the can is a valve designated generally by the numeral 20. Connected with the valve and mounted thereon by a screw connection is a horn body designated generally by the numeral 30. As will hereinafter more fully appear, the valve is tiltable in its mounting in the can to permit gas to pass through it into the horn body and to blow the horn.

The can 10 narrows at its top into an annular neck 12 which has its edge folded reversely inwardly. On the neck is mounted a circular cap 14 that has an up-tumed circular flange 16 adjacent its periphery. The top edge of the flange is outwardly bent or folded over to form an annular jaw 18 which fits over the in-tumed edge of the neck 12 and is crimped onto the neck with a gasket (not shown) between them to form a hermetic seal.

The cap 14 has a circular centrally located aperture in which the valve 20 is mounted. The valve is of standard manufacture available on the market and comprises a stem member 22 having a hollow tubular portion passing through the aperture in the cap 14.

The outer end of the stem 22 has a square screw thread 29 so that the stem can be screwed into an interiorly threaded cylindrical extension 38 extending from, and integrally a part of, the horn body 30. Thus the horn body 30 can be mounted on the stem 22 by this screw threaded connection, allowing for passage of compressed gas from the can through the stem into the body when the valve is tilted with reference to the can as hereinafter more fully explained.

lntegrally formed on the inner end of the stem is a circular solid disc shaped head 24 of larger diameter than the stem. The head closes the inner end of the stem and affords a seat for one face of a resilient annular washer-shaped part 26 of a gasket made of rubber or other equivalent material. The other face of this washer-part abuts the inner surface of the cap 14. In the stem 22 adjacent its junction with the head 24 are four small radial apertures 23 through the stem, equally spaced around the circumference of the stem. The washer-part 26 normally closes these apertures but when the stern member is tilted relative to the cap 14 a small space opens up between the head 24 and the washer-part 26 permitting gas to flow through the apertures 23 into the hollow stem 22 and up and out of the stem into the horn body as will more fully appear.

To hold the valve in the cap member 14 and concommitantly to exert pressure of the head 24 against the washer-part 26 to keep the valve closed, the gasket has a cylindrical sleevepart 28 which fits snuggly around the stem 22 outside of the cap 16. At one end, the sleeve passes through the aperture in the cap. At its other end, the sleeve engages with a radially extending surface of a circular beveled flange 27 formed on the valve member between the stem 22 and the thread 29, the bevel being toward the outer end of the stem.

To prevent inadvertent loosening and disconnection of the horn body from the valve in case of idle or careless manipula tion of the horn body and can, or inadvertent unscrewing of the can from the horn body, the extension 38 is fonned with internal annular recesses 38r (see FIG. 4) giving the extension a cross-sectional profile like that of the cross-sectional profile of the flange 27 and that portion of the stem 22 directly adjacent to it. The stem 22, head 24, flange 27 and thread 29 are preferably molded from synthetic or plastic material to form a relatively rigid member. The horn body is also made of synthetic molded plastic material which is relatively rigid. But the material chosen for the horn body and stem member is such that both the horn body and the stern member have enough flexibility and resilience for the flange 27 to snap in place behind the narrow annular shoulder 32 within the extension 38 at the outer end thereof, as the screw-threaded stem 22 is screwed fully into the extension. This engagement of the flange 27 with the shoulder 32 prevents unscrewing of the stem from the extension unless and until a sufficient amount of pressure is exerted, purposefully, to enable the horn body to be separated from the valve stem.

The horn body 30 is molded of synthetic plastic material having circular form at each end with a cover 31 closing one end. The horn body is formed with a flared trumpet 33 narrowing from its outer end or mouth down to a throat 34 at its inner end. Surrounding the throat 34 are four equal chambers 35 separated by stiffening webs 36 extending radially from the throat to the periphery of the horn body and axially to the depth of the chambers from the level of the periphery or rim of the closed end of the body. Four exterior stiffening webs 37 are provided running from the chambers 35 to the outer end or mouth of the horn body.

The outside surface of the throat end of the body is provided with an annular external ridge or bead 30a and next to it an external annular channel 30c.

The cover 31 is of cup shape with concave or dome shaped end. The cover is of approximately the same diameter as the body 30 but enough larger to fit over the end of the body in the manner now to be described. On the inner cylindrical wall of the cover adjacent its rim an annular bead or ridge 31a is formed next to which an annular internal recess 30c is formed. The shape of the cover bead 31a and the cover recess 310 are complementary to the horn body channel 300 and horn body bead 30a, respectively. It will be recalled that the horn body 30 and its cap 31 are made of relatively rigid but resilient synthetic plastic material which after momentary deformation resumes its previous form, so that as the cover is forcibly pushed over the bead 30a ofthe horn body, the cover bead 31a will fit into the body channel 31c and the body bead 30a will fit into the cover recess 31c.

A circular disc shaped thin metal or plastic diaphragm 40 is firmly held entirely around its periphery between the body bead 30a and a cooperating internal annular shoulder 31: of the cover. The diaphragm has a tiny bleed hole at its center to relieve pressure which can build up due to leakage around the periphery of the diaphragm. The periphery of the throat 34 is made to lie in a plane spaced outwardly, slightly from (higher than) the plane of the rim or periphery of the body 30 so that the diaphragm is normally pressed against the periphery of the throat and is slightly concavely held. A passage or hole 39, approximating in size the inside diameter of the valve stem 22, is formed in the body of the horn directly over the threaded end of the valve stem to permit the flow of gas from the valve stem 22. A smaller hole or metering passage 39' leads transversely from the passage 39 into the chambers 35 and thus to cause the vibration of the diaphragm as the horn is operated, in the usual fashion. Preferably the passage 39' flares outwardly into the chamber 35 to facilitate expansion and pressure reduction of the gas entering chambers 35.

The horn extension 38 mates with the valve stem in such a way as to create a seal so as to prevent significant leakage of the gas passing from the valve into the horn chamber. This seal keeps any possible leakage to such a low level as to be considered nil from a practical viewpoint.

Many modifications within the scope of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore the invention is not limited to the precise form and connections as illustrated and described.

What is claimed is:

I. In combination, a pressurized fluid container having an outlet, valve means mounted in said outlet and having a tiltable stem part, a compressed-gas-operated horn having a body part, said body part having an inlet part, a connection between said stem part and said inlet part, said connection having screw threads on the connected parts and being hollow, a radial extension on one of said parts engaging with a shoulder on the other of said parts after predetermined screwing of said parts to secure said body part and stem part together, at least one of said parts being made of resilient material permitting distortion for accomplishing said securement, the interengagement and interlocking of said parts providing an improved seal against fluid leakage.

2. The combination as claimed in claim 1 in which said radial extension is an annular flange on said stem part and said shoulder is formed by an annular recess in said inlet part.

3. In combination, a pressurized fluid container having an outlet, valve means mounted in said outlet having a hollow tiltable stem part, a compressedgas operated horn having a body with an inlet passage part, said inlet passage part having a screw thread connection with said stem part for mounting said horn on said stem, said horn body being tiltable to cause opening and closing of said valve means and operation of said device to give a warning sound, and securing means supplementary to said screw thread connection formed on said stem part and said inlet passage part, said supplementary means inter-engaging after predetermined screwing of said connection and upon further screwing automatically-acting to secure said horn to said valve means, said securing means being made of deformable material so as to be deformable and releasable on unscrewing and forceable overcoming of said inter-engagement.

4. In combination, a pressurized fluid container having an outlet, valve means mounted in said outlet having a tiltable stem part, a compressed-gas-operated horn having a body part with an inlet passage, connection means on said body part and said valve means forming a connection for mounting said body part on said stem part with one pan inserted within the other, means on said body part and said stem part supplementary to said connection means acting after predetermined inter-engagement of said body and stem parts to secure them together, said horn being tiltable to cause opening and closing of said valve means and operation of the horn to give a warning sound, said horn having a ca part and a vibratable diaphragm, said diaphragm being held between said cap part and said body part, and a snap on connection between said body and cap parts, said snap-on connection comprising an annular projecting means and annular recess means on said body and cap parts which have mating engagement when as sembled, at least one of said parts being made of resilient material whereby said parts may be forced together and permanently held in engagement.

5. For use with a pressurized fluid container having an outlet valve, a gas-power-operated horn mounted on said valve, said horn having a body part and a cap part and a vibratable diaphragm, said cap and body parts having cooperating interior annular shoulder means and recess means providing a seat for the peripheral edge of said diaphragm, said diaphragm being held between said cap part and said body part and providing a closed chamber between itself and said cap part, and a snap-on connection between said body and cap parts comprising annular projecting means and annular recess means on said body part and cap part which having mating engagement when assembled, at least one of said parts being made of resilient material whereby said parts may be forced together and securely held in engagement concomitantly providing a seal therebetween.

6. The combination as claimed in claim 5 in which said body part of the horn has a flared trumpet portion surrounded at one end by a peripheral portion providing a secondary chamber therebetween, and a plurality of internal stiffening webs in said secondary chamber.

7. The combination as claimed in claim 6 wherein said trumpet portion is provided with a plurality of external radial stiffening webs running lengthwise of said trumpet portion.

8. The combination as claimed in claim 6 in which said body portion of the horn has a lateral extension with a passage leading from said outlet valve to said secondary chamber, and a metering passage between said lateral extension passage and said secondary chamber.

l I i l 

1. In combination, a pressurized fluid container having an outlet, valve means mounted in said outlet and having a tiltable stem part, a compressed-gas-operated horn having a body part, said body part having an inlet part, a connection between said stem part and said inlet part, said connection having screw threads on the connected parts and being hollow, a radial extension on one of said parts engaging with a shoulder on the other of said parts after predetermined screwing of said parts tO secure said body part and stem part together, at least one of said parts being made of resilient material permitting distortion for accomplishing said securement, the interengagement and interlocking of said parts providing an improved seal against fluid leakage.
 2. The combination as claimed in claim 1 in which said radial extension is an annular flange on said stem part and said shoulder is formed by an annular recess in said inlet part.
 3. In combination, a pressurized fluid container having an outlet, valve means mounted in said outlet having a hollow tiltable stem part, a compressed-gas operated horn having a body with an inlet passage part, said inlet passage part having a screw thread connection with said stem part for mounting said horn on said stem, said horn body being tiltable to cause opening and closing of said valve means and operation of said device to give a warning sound, and securing means supplementary to said screw thread connection formed on said stem part and said inlet passage part, said supplementary means inter-engaging after predetermined screwing of said connection and upon further screwing automatically acting to secure said horn to said valve means, said securing means being made of deformable material so as to be deformable and releasable on unscrewing and forceable overcoming of said inter-engagement.
 4. In combination, a pressurized fluid container having an outlet, valve means mounted in said outlet having a tiltable stem part, a compressed-gas-operated horn having a body part with an inlet passage, connection means on said body part and said valve means forming a connection for mounting said body part on said stem part with one part inserted within the other, means on said body part and said stem part supplementary to said connection means acting after predetermined inter-engagement of said body and stem parts to secure them together, said horn being tiltable to cause opening and closing of said valve means and operation of the horn to give a warning sound, said horn having a cap part and a vibratable diaphragm, said diaphragm being held between said cap part and said body part, and a snap-on connection between said body and cap parts, said snap-on connection comprising an annular projecting means and annular recess means on said body and cap parts which have mating engagement when assembled, at least one of said parts being made of resilient material whereby said parts may be forced together and permanently held in engagement.
 5. For use with a pressurized fluid container having an outlet valve, a gas-power-operated horn mounted on said valve, said horn having a body part and a cap part and a vibratable diaphragm, said cap and body parts having cooperating interior annular shoulder means and recess means providing a seat for the peripheral edge of said diaphragm, said diaphragm being held between said cap part and said body part and providing a closed chamber between itself and said cap part, and a snap-on connection between said body and cap parts comprising annular projecting means and annular recess means on said body part and cap part which having mating engagement when assembled, at least one of said parts being made of resilient material whereby said parts may be forced together and securely held in engagement concomitantly providing a seal therebetween.
 6. The combination as claimed in claim 5 in which said body part of the horn has a flared trumpet portion surrounded at one end by a peripheral portion providing a secondary chamber therebetween, and a plurality of internal stiffening webs in said secondary chamber.
 7. The combination as claimed in claim 6 wherein said trumpet portion is provided with a plurality of external radial stiffening webs running lengthwise of said trumpet portion.
 8. The combination as claimed in claim 6 in which said body portion of the horn has a lateral extension with a passage leading from said outlet valve to said secondary chamber, and a metering passage between said lateral exteNsion passage and said secondary chamber. 